WORLD number two Rafael Nadal made a comfortable start to the defence of his Japan Open title with a straight-sets win over local wild-card Go Soeda in Tokyo.

Top seed Nadal, who is seeking his 47th career title this week, forced four breaks of the world number 118’s serve on his way to a 6-3 6-2 win in 91 minutes.

Next up for the Spaniard is a second-round encounter with Canada’s Milos Raonic, who defeated Japan’s Yuichi Sugita 6-7 (4/7) 6-3 7-6 (7/1).

Third seed David Ferrer brutally dashed home hopes as he dispatched Kei Nishikori in straight sets.

Nishikori, the Japanese number one, was never at his best and conceded 10 break points, of which 2007 champion Ferrer converted four on his way to a 6-4 6-3 triumph.Bernard Tomic provided the surprise of the day as he saw off Serbian fifth seed Viktor Troicki 7-6 (8/6) 7-6 (7/1).

Andy Murray is the second seed in Tokyo and opens his account against Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus.